Here's a breakdown:
* Catalyst: A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. It provides an alternative pathway for the reaction with a lower activation energy.
* Activation energy: The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur.
How catalysts work:
Catalysts work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. This means that more molecules have enough energy to react, leading to a faster reaction rate.
Examples of catalysts:
* Enzymes: Biological catalysts that facilitate biochemical reactions in living organisms.
* Metals: Metals like platinum and palladium are used as catalysts in various industrial processes.
* Acids: Acids like sulfuric acid can act as catalysts in some reactions.
Key point: Catalysts do not change the equilibrium position of a reaction; they only speed up the rate at which equilibrium is reached.
